Entri gets CM’s tacit approval

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MARUDI: Marudi assemblyman Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply), is likely to be renominated as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate during the next state election.

Chief Minister and Sarawak BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem indicated yesterday that Entri is the likely BN’s choice for the constituency.

“I will be frank with you. In Marudi, there is none other than the balding (Entri) and I think you know what that means,” he said to applause during the launching of the rationalisation of state ferry service rates here yesterday.

Entri is Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) secretary-general. He was formerly with the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), which has declared that it would field a senior civil servant in Marudi.

In his speech, Entri said Adenan has walked the talk and delivered the goods since taking over as chief minister over a year ago.

“I will work with the people of Marudi and get them to work with you in the next five years to unleash more transformation,” he said.

He said Adenan’s actions have eased the financial burdens of Sarawakians across the board from the reduction of power tariffs to abolition of tolls, as well as reduction of ferry service charges.

The reduction of ferry service rates from RM15 to RM1 for cars, he said, would boost the local economy thanks to lower transportation costs in Marudi and Long Lama.

“I brought up the issue with the Chief Minister, who agreed. But I insisted on behalf of the people of Marudi that he must come to launch the RM1 ferry charge today instead of me,” said Entri.

“The opposition said this was politically motivated and I totally agree — it is politically motivated and not instigated, for the benefit of the people where this is the real deal unlike the sweet (empty) promises of the opposition.”

On the Baram Regatta next year, he said preparations are in place to turn it into a biennial instead of triennial event as requested by Adenan.